I've been passionately intrigued by the wisdom traditions of the world traditions of the world since I was introduced to Buddhism as a child living across the street from the Byodo-In Temple. In my past lives I have been a bike messenger in New York City, an art director, graphic designer, theater technician, and lead singer in a rock band. When I'm not teaching I'm savoring life as a competitive bike racer, mountain biking in the solitude of the American desert, skiing in the backcountry of Mt Hood, or rock climbing. When I'm not doing any of the above I'm probably napping or doing a restorative yoga practice.

Yoga for me has gone from being a fitness/exercise regimen to a holistic and somatic form of meditation—a way of intimately engaging with all that life has to offer. I am devoted to awakening further to direct experience in myself, and to holding that space for others. There is no greater purpose than to connect with our highest potential. I have worked with world-class professional athletes, rock stars, and ordinary people of all ages to improve strength, flexibility and performance. I've witnessed persons suffering from eating disorders, post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety make healthy positive changes in their lives because yoga worked for them. I believe yoga offers something for everyone—it's just a matter of finding the right teacher, right style, and right method depending on the needs of the student.

About my teaching: I have been teaching for over 11 years. My formal training includes vinyasa and yin teacher training with Sarah Powers, Iyengar with Lisa Walford, and apprenticeships in both Iyengar yoga with Beth Greenfield and ashtanga yoga with Callie Littlefield. Most recently I have completed a number of teacher training sessions in the Anusara method as well as intensive studies and workshops with senior teachers in a variety of traditions, including Tias Little, Richard Freeman, Manouso Manos, Ana Forrest, Kausthub Desikachar, and Nischala Joy Devi. My teaching has been informed by the work of Ken Wilber, Lama Surya Das, Jack Kornfeld, and most especially, Cheri Huber of the Mountain Zen Center. My approach blends the detailed, exacting, alignment oriented approach of Iyengar yoga with the meditation-in-motion of ashtanga vinyasa, with a therapeutic orientation and yoga psychology and meditation.

Private Lessons

Private sessions with Uma at Yoga Pearl are available at $75 / hour, $40 for 30-minute mini-session
Private sessions are also available at your home or office, for maximum flexibility.

For more information about Uma's teaching, go to www.umakleppinger.com

Uma teaches workshops and teacher trainings at Yoga Pearl and elsewhere. To contact her directly about workshops or teacher training, email uma@yogapearl.com